Council Sets Pace On Budget

Hearing Tonight Scheduled To Give Public A Head Start

TOLLAND — The town council is taking steps to get the public involved with the 2005-06 budget before the budget season starts, with a forum tonight on where the tax dollar goes.

The council said it would like to prevent the budget nightmare the town experienced last year, fighting through three referendums before passing a budget -- $40.59 million -- on the fourth try.

``The council got a strong message from the town,'' Town Manager Timothy Tieperman said this week.

The forum is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Tolland High School auditorium.

Tieperman and School Superintendent William Guzman will present to residents a report on how taxpayers' money is spent. Linda Farmer, the director of planning and community development, and Sgt. Brian Kennedy, the resident state trooper supervisor, as well as other town departments contributed to the report.

Topics will include the estimated $56 million high school project, the new sewer system, and the new commercial center that includes the coming Big Y, town officials said.

Afterward, residents are invited to ask questions and voice their opinions about the budget and funding for different projects. The town council is hoping that the audience will help to generate fresh ideas for the upcoming budget and other plans, Tieperman said.

Rick Field, council chairman, will mediate the two-hour presentation and forum and Tieperman made it clear that it is to be a civilized meeting.

``We don't want one or two people to dominate the forum,'' Tieperman said. ``We've made every effort to publicize this on the green and in the newsletter. My concern is that we give enough time to the public to sound off.''

Tieperman said he hopes he and the department heads will be able to give an adequate description of what the town does.